A Man to Call My Own

Chapter 37

IT WAS A HECTIC few days, getting ready for the big barbecue. Amanda tried to pretend boredom. After all, it was a "country" barbecue. But Marian could tell she was excited about it, though not half as much as Marian was. She'd gone to a few balls at home with her sister, but hiding behind her spectacles, she hadn't enjoyed them. This Texas party, however, was like a "coming out" ball for her.

There was no time to get new gowns made for it, not that ball gowns would have been appropriate. And Marian hadn't been serious about borrowing some of Amanda's clothes, which she considered much too frilly for her taste. But with Red's help in supplying some lace, Ella Mae worked wonders with one of Marian's old beige gowns, removing the high neck and sleeves and adding white lace to the hem and the new low-cut bodice. Amanda's gown was fancier, but Marian's was prettier because of its simplicity.

Red had sent one of her hands to the sheriff with the miniature painting of the train robber just as soon as Marian finished it. They could have delivered it themselves on Sunday when they would be passing through town, but Red didn't think they should wait even for a few days to pass something that important along to the sheriff. They hadn't heard yet if the painting was going to do any good in apprehending the outlaw, but the sheriff was likely to be at the barbecue as well, so they could ask him then.

Most of Red's household was up long before dawn Saturday morning, so they could have time to dress and eat a quick breakfast before leaving. They managed to arrive at the Kinkaid ranch a little after noontime. Most of the townsfolk who were coming were already there, some having ridden over the night before so as not to miss anything.

The girls had been warned that Stuart's ranch was big, but they were still surprised at just how big it was. The main ranch house dominated the scene. Like a mansion in proportion if not design, it spread wide and tall among all the other buildings around it. The actual barbecue was taking place behind it.

Tables had been improvised from long planks of wood. There was a stage and dance area where musicians were already playing, although no one was dancing yet. Whole carcasses of meat were being roasted nearby, slowly turning on spits and being basted with sauces. A bevy of servants were making trips from the house to the tables, bringing out more and more food that got quickly covered with checkered cloths until it was time to eat. The aromas were wonderful.

Bronco riding was taking place down by one of the stables, where most of the guests were currently gathered. Shouts, bets, laughter, and goading filled the air, and everyone seemed to be having a fine time except maybe the cowboy trying to stay on the back of the bucking horse. It looked dangerous. The cowboy didn't stay on very long.

Marian decided to avoid that area. It was a bit too raucous for her tastes. There would be horse racing as well, she was told, and maybe a shooting contest and roping competition, plenty of opportunities for the cowboys to test their skills in fun, rather than work.

Kathleen introduced the girls around. Amanda began enjoying herself, but then she always shone at social gatherings, and it didn't take her long to become the "belle of the barbecue," so to speak. Marian didn't begrudge her sister that. She might have come out of her shell at last, but she would never have Amanda's self-confidence. She was surprising a lot of people, though, who had seen her arrive in town a week ago looking nothing like she did now. But twins were always a novelty.

The host showed up and after complimenting Kathleen enough to make her blush—their aunt did look exceptionally fetching in an embroidered blouse and skirt with two tiers of ruffles—he took over the introductions.

Spencer arrived, looking as dashing as ever in his black coat and string tie. It didn't take him long to find Amanda or to monopolize the conversation with her. Marian wondered if Amanda would tell him she was going to marry Chad. Probably not, since she would enjoy flirting with him.

Marian thought it was ironic that she had always figured her "unveiling" would change everything for her, yet it seemed to have changed nothing. She was pretty now, yes. But still that didn't seem to be drawing people to her or making this social event any more fun than others she'd attended.

Amanda pulled her aside, said impatiently, "Don't slouch. You have a nice figure, show it off. And stop looking down like you're trying to see over the rims of those silly spectacles. You aren't wearing them anymore."

Amanda? Trying to help her present herself better? But before Marian went into shock, Amanda added, "How am I supposed to compete if you're still trying to hide yourself?"

"I'm not hiding."

"Of course you are," Amanda replied. "It's ingrained, you've done it so long. Open up, Mari. Let the real Marian out."

Amanda flounced off after that, leaving Marian in shock. That had been sisterly advice, she just wasn't sure how to take it. She tried to guess at Amanda's ulterior motive, but other than the "compete" comment, she couldn't find one. And "competing" didn't wash. Amanda was going to be the center of attention no matter what. Her vivacity, her abundant self-confidence from years of social successes naturally drew people to her.

Marian soon wandered off by herself. Distracted by her disappointment, she found herself down by the stable without realizing it. A collective cheer by the crowd still gathered there brought her back to herself, in time to see Chad being bounced around on the back of a bucking horse.

She sucked in her breath. He was holding on with only one hand. His other arm was extended out to the side, possibly to assist with balance. The wild horse was doing its darnedest to unseat him, kicking up its hind legs, nearly jumping into the air, vicious in its determination.

Marian squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't bear to watch Chad fall, but knew he would. The horse was too wild and too angry. She listened to the crowd to tell her when it happened. They seemed greatly annoyed when it did, as if they'd expected Chad to succeed.

"He lost his concentration."

"Probably her fault, he was looking at her."

"Rotten timing."

Marian looked around to see who they were talking about, but the dozen or so men standing near her were all staring at her. She started blushing and turned to leave.

"Well, if it ain't the tree-toting Eastern gal. How do, ma'am?"

Marian groaned inwardly. It was the mountainman, Leroy. She hadn't expected ever to see him again. And he was mistaking her for Amanda—well, actually he wasn't, but she didn't want him to know that.

She gave him a smile. "Have we met? I'm Marian Laton. Perhaps you were referring to my twin sister?"

He raised a dubious brow. It looked rather funny, such a big man trying to look skeptical. "Twin, huh?"

"Leave her be, Leroy," Chad said, coming up beside them, still brushing the dust from his pants from the fall he'd taken.

She was relieved to see he was only dusty and didn't have any blood or hoof marks imprinted on him anywhere. And Leroy didn't seem to take offense—much.

"You give too many orders, boy, when you don' run this place yet."

"If my pa didn't warn you to stay away from his guests, he should have."

Leroy chuckled. "As it happens, he did. But I heard you were gonna try your hand at breaking the bronco I brought in. Was hoping the horse might settle our debt."

"If you want a piece of me, Leroy, just say so."

"I'm still thinking on it."

"They say bathing stimulates thinking. Why don't you try it?" Chad suggested. "Pa set up a bunch of tubs in the south barn for the men."

"I know. Wandered in there by mistake, and the little fella tending the tubs took one look at me and grabbed his shotgun. Said he wasn't gonna lug water for all them tubs again, that it would take all of them to get me clean. Told me to go find a creek."

"No offense, Leroy, but we'd all appreciate it if you did."

Leroy grinned. "This is an acquired o-door. Took me years to perfect it. Snuck up on that bronco within a hand's reach 'cause he didn't smell a human. When I give up hunting, I'll bathe."

Chad rolled his eyes. "In the meantime, you'll forgive us if we avoid your perfected odor?"

Leroy shrugged. "Most folks do."

Chad took Marian's arm to lead her back up to the food tables. She'd been holding her breath for most of that conversation, and not just because of Leroy's horrid odor. The way Chad had provoked that huge mountain of a man, as if he had no fear of him, set her nerves on edge.

"If you didn't want to watch, why'd you come down?" he asked out of the blue.

"Excuse me?"

"You had your eyes squeezed shut. Worried I was going to take a fall?"

"Of course not," she denied primly. "I merely had dust in my eyes. And I didn't go there to watch you. I was just wandering, lost in thought."

"Anything interesting?"

"What?"

"In your thoughts?"

Was he insulting her? Suggesting her thoughts were usually dull? Probably. Or maybe he thought she was Amanda. Of course! Otherwise, he would have remarked on her changed appearance. And his question could have been an attempt at flirtation with his bride-to-be. He undoubtedly expected Amanda to tell him that he had been in her thoughts.

"I heard the preacher isn't coming," she said. "That his wife isn't feeling well, and he didn't want to leave her alone in town."

Chad sighed in disappointment. Because she'd passed up the opportunity to flirt with him? Or because he was in a hurry to set the date for his wedding?

She should straighten him out, but she was too angry that he was mistaking her for Amanda—yet again.

And it infuriated her that she'd been afraid for him, not once, but twice in the span of a few minutes. She had to stop caring what happened to him. Whether he married Amanda or not, he was still lost to her.